Doug Shipley
Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ontario · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, thankfully, summer is here, and with its arrival comes the much anticipated opening of our local farmers' markets and the start of festival season in communities across Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte. We are very fortunate to have two major local farmers' markets operating this year.”
“Finally, this weekend, the Barrie Airshow will feature the Snowbirds, providing one of the last chances for residents to see them perform for years. I encourage all residents to get out and attend one or all of these great markets and festivals, and I wish them all a happy summer.”
“Bill C‑281. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑281, An Act to amend the Textile Labelling Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act . He said: Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand and introduce my private member's bill today, entitled “the made in Canada flag act”.”
“If Canadians want to buy Canadian-made flags, the choice should be obvious. The proposed legislation would require Canadian flags that meet minimum size requirements to display a country-of-origin label directly on the product as well as on its packaging.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada is the only G7 country currently in a recession. This made-in-Canada recession has caused food bank usage to surge. In my community, the Barrie Food Bank is now supporting 8,000 clients per month, up from just 1,000 at the beginning of 2020.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition today on behalf of members of the Barrie Persian Association in my riding, as well as members of the Persian community across Simcoe county, who are deeply concerned about the ongoing systemic human rights violations being committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
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“Mr. Speaker, what I saw happening last summer in Barrie was remarkable. The downtown area was becoming unlivable. Businesses were closing up. The good mayor there took the drastic step of declaring a state of emergency and doing something about it. We are actually starting to clean up our downtown area and starting to move the tents and get people the help they need. It is a big issue, but at least the mayor there is dealing with it.”
“Conservatives have called for the addition of thousands of border agents; the extension of CBSA powers along the entire border, not just crossings; the installation of border surveillance towers as well as truck-mounted drone systems to spot border incursions; the installation of high-powered scanners at all major land crossings and shipping ports; the tracking of departures so that government officials will know which deportees are in Canada illegally; the toughening of penalties for repeat violent offenders; the ending of catch-and-release bail and of house arrest for violent criminals; and the elimination of multiple murder discounting in sentencing. Those were just a few. I will wait for my next question.”
“Mr. Speaker, when I was at the public safety committee the last time, we discussed this issue in great detail. I would like to go over some of the issues or some of the concerns that Conservatives had. We have been consistent in trying to make our borders stronger. We have been calling for this for years. It was only when the President of the United States called on us to take action that we actually did. When Conservatives called for action, there was no action.”
“Mr. Speaker, that was an interesting question from across the aisle. I did have many quotes in mind of what I have been hearing back in my community. It is chaos back home. He wants to talk about conspiracy theories. These are not conspiracy theories; these are facts. Total violent crime is up 49.84%; total homicides are up 27.75%; total sexual assaults are up 74.83%; total violent firearms offences are up 116.4%; extortion is up 357%; auto theft is up 45%; total sexual violations against children are up 118%; forcible confinement and kidnapping is up 10%, indecent harassing communications are up 86%; and trafficking in persons is up 83%. This is from 2015 to 2023. I can keep going on with this list. Maybe they will ask me another question and I can continue with my list.”
“We recommend that Liberals copy our ideas. Our leader has said time and time again, “Please use our ideas.” (1725) Conservatives have brought forward serious proposals in the form of private members' bills and otherwise to fix our broken—”
“I am extremely concerned that there are no new sentencing provisions, there are no new mandatory jail sentencing provisions, there are no mandatory jail terms for fentanyl traffickers who terrorize our communities and there are no new mandatory jail terms for criminals who terrorize our communities with guns. This is the reality of Canada. Criminals, including those charged with trafficking fentanyl, smuggling firearms or committing violent assaults, are being routinely released on bail, often within hours. The bill would not address that reality in any way, shape or form. Conservatives believe that Canadians deserve to feel safe in their homes, in their streets and in their communities. As of today, Bill C-2 is a bad bill. In its current form, it will be difficult for Conservatives to support the bill. What is the solution?”
“By tolerating it, we send the message that community standards and laws no longer matter.” At the federal level, the Liberal government must face reality and take immediate action to protect Canadians. The Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to amend the Criminal Code to include a much-needed stand-on-guard principle, fix Canada's broken bail system, reverse the reckless drug policy and repeal soft-on-crime legislation so that dangerous criminals receive jail time, not bail. To conclude, I would like to reiterate that Conservatives are supportive of some measures in Bill C-2 . However, we are deeply concerned about others.”
“The justice minister recently tweeted, “This isn't the Wild West.” I would like him to say that to residents in downtown Barrie. A resident recently wrote a letter to my office to express his concern, stating, “This situation is unacceptable. My children should be able to walk safely down the street without encountering garbage, needles, makeshift encampments or open drug use. Allowing this to continue is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the residents who work hard to maintain their homes, pay their taxes and raise their families here. A clear line must be drawn. People cannot simply set up tents wherever they choose, and open drug use cannot be ignored. This is not only a public health and safety crisis but also a direct threat to law and order.”
“In the city of Barrie, Mayor Alex Nuttall was recently forced to declare a state of emergency to address the growing number and size of encampments, which pose significant risks to the community, our first responders and the individuals living in these encampments. Our first responders and community organizations are stretched thin by the scale of disorder caused by the encampments. Children are exposed to open drug use and must navigate dangerous areas on their way to school. Small businesses and local retailers face ongoing challenges related to vandalism, theft, loitering and public intoxication. It is clear that this is a symptom of the Liberal government's reckless experiment of flooding our streets with taxpayer-funded hard drugs. Our once-safe neighbourhoods are now plagued by crime, chaos, death and disorder.”
“Now I would like to touch briefly upon how the Liberal government's soft-on-crime agenda is having an impact on my own community. After 10 years under the Liberal government, I walk around the downtown core of my riding and do not recognize it. Ten years ago, my community did not have tent encampments, and it did not have widespread homelessness; it did not have individuals smoking and shooting up illegal drugs on sidewalks and in children's playgrounds. Lawlessness has become the norm in my community and in cities across Canada. The sad part is that our young people think this is normal. They think this is the way Canada has always been. To young people across Canada, I say that it was not like this before the Liberal government came into power; it will not be like this once it is gone.”
“We support deploying thousands of additional border agents, expanding the operational reach of the Canada Border Services Agency across the entire border and installing advanced surveillance towers to monitor high-risk areas. We also advocate for the use of high-powered scanners at land crossings and shipping ports to detect illicit drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles. These tools are essential in disrupting organized crime and protecting Canadian communities. Above all, we stand firmly behind the dedicated men and women serving on the front lines of our border. These professionals are often under-resourced, but they work tirelessly to safeguard our country. Their efforts in intercepting dangerous substances and weapons are critical to national security, and they deserve our full support and sincere gratitude.”
“It means having a system that allows newcomers to succeed as part of the Canadian family. It also means restoring the value of citizenship so that everyone who calls our country home, regardless of where they came from, is Canadian above all else. We must also end the abuse of the temporary foreign worker program and the international student program and end fraudulent refugee claims. With respect to border security, Conservatives will support any measure that invests in our border and provides greater resources to CBSA personnel to prevent the flow of illegal guns, drugs and other listed goods over our border and into Canada. Conservatives are committed to strengthening Canada's border security through practical effective measures.”
“The Prime Minister promised to fix our broken immigration system and broken borders, but recently released numbers show that he has blown past his immigration targets, with some on track to be the highest on record. He supports the same out-of-control Liberal immigration policies that delivered a triple-header crisis in housing, health care and youth unemployment. Conservatives believe we must reduce the numbers so that health care, housing and job creation can catch up. The Canadian public deserves a trustworthy immigration system that operates in the national interest. We used to have the best immigration system in the world, and we were the envy of all other nations. (1720) Our immigration system must put Canada first. That means inviting the right people in the right numbers to absorb them into housing, health care and jobs.”
“I will remind the members of the House that, in December, Conservatives put forward an opposition day motion calling for many measures related to fentanyl trafficking. Our motion called on the Liberal government to reverse Bill C-5 , reinstate longer sentences for drug kingpins, ban the importation of fentanyl precursors, buy high-powered scanners, put more boots on the ground at the ports and stop buying unsafe supply of opioids. Shockingly, the Liberal government, the Bloc and the NDP all voted against this motion. Now I will turn to our immigration system and border security, issues that the Liberal government has quickly allowed to spiral out of control during its past decade in power.”
“Many of the people responsible for killing over 50,000 people and causing unbelievable mayhem and destruction in our communities no longer have mandatory prison times. It has been repeated over and over again, even by Liberals themselves, that Bill C-5's specific goal was for fewer people to go to prison. As a result of legislation like this, we see that people involved in this deadly fentanyl trade are getting back out on the streets more quickly than ever. It is extremely disappointing to see that there are no new sentencing provisions included in this massive omnibus bill. Individuals who threaten our communities will continue to walk free because of Bill C-5 , even if the current bill is passed.”
“I will discuss three main issues touched upon in Bill C-2 that the Liberal government has allowed to spiral out of control: fentanyl, our immigration system and border security. Let us begin with the fentanyl crisis. Canada faces an opioid crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 50,000 Canadians since 2016. This is a national crisis that has wreaked havoc on our communities in our cities, in our towns and in rural Canada from coast to coast. Many members must wonder how the Liberal government has responded to this crisis. The Liberal government introduced Bill C-5 . This disastrous bill eliminated mandatory prison time for drug traffickers, drug producers and drug importers.”
“Unfortunately, the Liberals felt inclined to make real progress on these issues only when they were called out and threatened with tariffs by the United States. They scrambled, and we must ask ourselves why it took so long to act. Conservatives believe in protecting Canadians from transnational crime, illegal trafficking and abuse of our immigration system, but Bill C-2 contains many troubling provisions related to privacy and civil liberties of Canadians that will be difficult to support without significant amendments. Bill C-2 is a sweeping omnibus bill into which the Liberal government decided to throw a laundry list of measures that are completely unrelated to border security and immigration reform.”
“I would also like to thank my family: my wife, Lisa, for always supporting me; my son, Wyatt, and his girlfriend, Grayson; my other son, Luke; and, just to get some brownie points from my wife, I would also like to mention my dog, Ollie, for always posing for pictures on all the brochures and winning everyone's hearts. I am sure my wife will be very happy to hear that part; I think the dog is a little higher on the pecking order at home than I am. Conservatives have been calling on the Liberal government to introduce many of these measures for years. Under the Liberal government, Canada has turned a blind eye to enforcement on illegal migration, gun trafficking, money laundering and the cross-border trafficking of fentanyl.”
“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the great people of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, I am pleased to rise today to speak to this important piece of legislation. Since this is my first full speech in the 45th Parliament, I would be a little remiss if I did not take a moment to thank a few people who helped send me back here. First of all, I would like to mention my EDA president and sign guru, Shawn Scott. A few of my key campaign team members were Erin, also referred to as “Peaches”, the other Errin, Lauren, Harry, Sharbell, Hale and, of course, Kelly, who held the fort. Many other volunteers and supporters also helped with this. It takes an army, as everybody on all sides knows, to get a successful campaign done.”
“Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, lawlessness has become the norm in Canada. In many cities, children cannot play safely in parks, families cannot walk down sidewalks, businesses are suffering and residents are living in fear. Tent encampments and lawlessness are taking over public spaces. This summer, Barrie mayor Alex Nuttall was forced to take the extraordinary step of declaring a state of emergency to try to restore order back to Barrie. Canada was not like this 10 years ago. When will the Prime Minister stop this reckless Liberal agenda and bring order back to our communities?”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened intently for the last few minutes, and the member opposite asked for any suggestions or amendments. One of the things I would like to put forward is that in this legislation, Bill C-3 , there is no talk of any background or security checks for any of these people who could be getting clearance and citizenship to come to Canada. I wonder if the Liberals feel that maybe it is a good idea to include that in this bill, going forward.”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to my colleague's very informative speech this morning. One of the things I found a little shocking, and I am sure most Canadians would like to know a bit more about, is the opening up of our citizenship for people coming in, not having a security background check, and the implications that could have to our already burgeoning and struggling justice system. What, if any, amendments could be brought forward to tighten up that part of the bill for Canadians going forward?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said he wants to be held accountable for what Canadians pay at the grocery store. This year, Canadians are spending $800 more on groceries, and the Barrie Food Bank is now supporting upwards of 7,000 people per month, 37% of whom are children. Instead of offering relief and a real fiscal plan, the Prime Minister is spending a half-trillion dollars without telling Canadians where the revenue is coming from. When will the Prime Minister table a budget that fights inflation so that Canadians can afford to feed their families?”
“Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, the cost of groceries and food prices continue to skyrocket. This year alone, the cost of apples is up 19%, beef strip loin is up 34%, white rice is up 14% and infant formula is up 9%. We know the Liberal government's deficit spending drives inflation and leads to higher prices at the grocery store. Will the minority Liberal government table a budget that reverses this inflationary spending so Canadians can afford to put food on their table?”
“Madam Speaker, we have heard from many police services, police associations and chiefs of police. The number one thing that Canada needs is bail reform. This bill is talking about trying to make Canada safer, but there is nothing in here about bail reform. Can the member comment on why we are not giving the police associations and the police chiefs what they are really asking for?”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her words on Bill C-2 today. I just wanted to bring up that back in December, under the 44th Parliament, there was an opposition day motion brought forward by the Conservative Party that listed many of the same factors we are debating here today. Some of them, as my colleague has mentioned, obviously are important to her because she is in a border riding. We had talked about getting more scanners and putting more boots on the ground. At that point in time, the Bloc, the Liberals and the NDP all voted against our opposition day motion. I am wondering now if the member regrets that. It sounds like she is changing her mind and realizing it is important. What has been the change of heart?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is nice to see you in the chair. I am sure your wealth of knowledge will serve us well. I am looking forward to that. I congratulate the member opposite on his re-election. It is nice to see him back here again. I do have a quick question. I was listening to your words and speech, and you mentioned that at the doors, you heard concerns about overspending, Liberal overspending, over many years. We heard this morning, confirmed by your own leader, the Prime Minister , that there was going to be an increase of 8% in spending. How do you reconcile that increase in spending with what you were hearing at the doors about what you had been currently overspending?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I have ridings that are very similar, and I found what he said very similar to what I was hearing at doors. He mentioned a story about a young gentleman driving truck who could not get out of his parents' basement and was struggling. I heard those stories repeatedly at doors also. I wonder if the member could tell me how we are going to restore hope now. What are we going to tell people who see what is in place and who are still going to be struggling for the next few years? What is the member telling his constituents with regard to how we can be here and fight for them every day to make sure life becomes more affordable?”